Performing talents for votes

Honors Variety Show brings varying levels of experience

From the seasoned musician to the first-time performer, the annual FSU Honors Variety Show will be showcasing talents of half a dozen acts.

Bryce Hetchler, FSU senior in pre-medicine, has been taking voice lessons since she was in sixth grade and has performed in front of audiences many times. She also competed in the Michigan School Vocal Music Association Solo and Ensemble every year in middle school and high school.

For this year’s show, Hetchler will be performing a mash-up of Christina Perri’s songs “Arms” and “Jar of Hearts” with golf teammate Jackie DeBoer playing guitar.

“I’ve always been very involved in classical music, choir and show choir, but I’m really excited to try more pop-like music genres,” Hetchler said. “I was actually trained in music and voice. But then again, how much is that worth when dealing with popular music in relation to classical training? I’m just going to sing my heart out.”

For another participant, this will be her first time performing for an audience. FSU pre-pharmacy freshman Meghan Fink will sing for a crowd for the first time on Nov. 17.

“I decided to perform because I want to prove to myself that I can get up there and sing in front of an audience,” Fink said. “I am going to be proud if I win or lose; for me, it’s just about getting the confidence to do it.”

Fink will be singing “Drops of Jupiter” by the band Train.

Jason Wilkins, FSU sophomore in health care systems administration, will be performing a skit to the song “Everything” by Lifehouse. Wilkins’ attention is not set on the winning the show for the sake of the prize.

“What sets us apart from our competitors is that we aren’t in it to win the money. We simply want to get the message of Jesus Christ spread around campus,” Wilkins said. “If we get our message out there and can affect the hearts of others, then we definitely can walk away feeling like winners.”

This year’s winners will be dubbed either Crowd Favorite or Judge Favorite. For Crowd Favorite, the audience “votes” for their favorite act by placing money into a bucket that will be passed around after each act, FSU sophomore in molecular diagnostics and Social Chairman of the Honors Programming Board Annie Murphy said. Whichever act has the most money wins.

For Judge Favorite, judges will decide which performance they believed was the best. Judges usually consist of Honors faculty members. Prizes in previous years have included gift cards to local businesses.

“This show will be different because each of the acts has its own unique spin. We have an interpretative dance this year, which we haven’t had before. Also, one performer is singing and playing guitar to a song she wrote herself,” Murphy said.

In between the acts there will be four mini-games for audience members to participate in.

“It’s a great way for the audience to get excited and involved and win some prizes, even if they aren’t performing in the show. These are always a lot of fun and make for some great laughs,” Murphy said.

Money raised at this year’s Honors Variety Show will be donated to Big Brothers Big Sisters. The show takes place on Nov. 17 at 7 p.m. in the Rankin Student Center Dome Room.

For more information about the show, contact Tammy Babcock at ext. 2216 or babcockt@nullferris.edu. n